The Cloisters San Pedro

... us with no luck. They were a kick. The landlord Tom asked "You didn't try it more than twice did you?" But of course we tried more like 20 times! He said he had only one safe key and he wasn't sure if was for ours or another one. As luck would have it it was ours!!! Yea beer money!! We went in on a case (which became 2) of beer from the distributor with our neighbors. Made more new friends eating shrimp on a stick at Jacks. It's easy to ...

... the next day and heading back to my hotel. It was only about 8pm and I thought I'd be bored silly since the room didn't have a tv either. But, as soon as I got into bed and started to read, I new I wasn't going to last. I turned the light off at 8:30 and went to sleep very soon after. Before I booked the room I was warned that the rooms can get a little noisy because it's right in town, but I came prepared with ear plugs just in case. I woke up once in the middle of ...

... the name suggests was a haven for some beautiful fish.
We had a really great day out, well worth the 360Belizian dollars.

New Years Eve: We had a fairly chilled out day, had a swim in the 'Split' - there is no beach on Caye Caulker but there is a kind of pier between 2 parts of the island known as the 'split' where everyone goes to swim and hang out.
We took the 'sunset' sailing trip with Ragamuffin Tours to celebrate new year - it left ...

New country, new people, new language (creole) and new prices as well unfortunately. I think Belize is the most expensive country i have been to so far, a bunk bed in a 6 bed-dorm in the capital city is 12.50US dollars per person. I was used to pay no more than 5 in the ...

... we got chatting to a Yorkshire couple on the bus talking about Leeds and our entire nightclub haunts which was funny. For those that know Leeds and us of old you will be surprised to hear that Chapel Town is now a 'desirable' place to live... bl***y * ell eh!! These guys with some others departed at a place called 'Orange Walk,' we'd considered going there but time didn't permit, the place consisted of a main dirt road and a few wooden houses dotted around ...

We cleaned up from our horseback ride, finished packing, grabbed a couple of soft drinks for the shuttle to Belize City, and met Selmo in the parking lot. We quickly loaded off and set off for Belize City and then Caye Caulker. I was a bit sad to leave as we headed down the Cristo Rey road and then the Western Highway, but was more excited about seeing the Belize Cayes. We would recommend Crystal Paradise to ...

... a morning person!) We managed to get 4 days diving in and hired a catamaran for a day which resulted in a very sun burnt butt for me from snorkeling, i was sure that i kept putting block on but the electric pink and pain proves otherwise! The snorkeling was great fun and we managed to flip the catamaran twice including once where it righted itself and starting sailing off without us. Good job that a kiteboarder was close by and grabbed ...

... the caves. It is dark and cold and Dr T lets my hand go. I turn around and (try to) sign to him: hold my hand, do not let go. I am scared. And I really think everybody is. Macho Tony denies, of course, but I do not believe him. And then: the sharks surround us. 2 to 3 meters long sharks. We see 7 in total. But, we know there are MUCH more. And then I notice the stalactites. Hanging from the cave, till 20 meters down. And then I get used to ...

... spend snorkling, lazing (found a beachside cafe with a cup of tea that i'd kill for right now!), and off roading in a hired golf-cart, before back to the mainland and farewell to the girls. Paul and I continued south to Belize City, which we discovered to be remarkably ****, and so therefore continued onto the Guatemalian border, a town called San Ignacio. Tomorrow: Tikal (tickle), and onwards into the land of (please God!) cheap prices!!

We'd like to say that we've been really busy with work and haven't been able to get to an update in a while, but the truth is that we've just been a bit lazy. It's "winter" here which means that when it rains, it usually rains all day. Fortunately, that's dying out and we're seeing some gloriously clear, warm (not hot) and breezy days. Come visit! ROB'S UPDATE: This last month saw a temporary change in focus for my work, from marine to terrestrial exploration. Seems the ...